Editorial | ‘No Politics Day’ serves as tool for growth

Civic Engagement hosts events like “Be the Change” to promote activism and encourage students to become involved in their communities. Panther Archives

When Chapman Civic Engagement announced their “No Politics Day” campaign Feb. 1 — the first day of Black History Month — students across disciplines reacted with justifiable anger. Some comments labeling the initiative as “tone-deaf” grew exponentially.

This was an unfortunate event for all parties involved, though well-intentioned. It was a slap in the face to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, who have to fight like hell in everyday life and through political legislation barriers imparted throughout American history, for just a chance at equal rights. At a time when activism and constant self-reflection is necessary, the campaign simply was not a good idea. 

But not all bad ideas are bred from bad intentions. Civic Engagement has been extremely involved in advocacy through the past few months — hosting heritage dialogues and launching campaigns to urge students to vote. While this campaign in particular was a clear misstep in Civic Engagement’s journey, it doesn’t erase the positive change they have promoted. 

From numerous voter engagement initiatives for the 2021 election, advocacy workshops and discussions on topics such as feminism and intersectionality, the goals of Civic Engagement are to inform and keep students active in their communities through politics and volunteering.  

Shishei Tsang, who administered an apology on behalf of Civic Engagement’s “No Politics Day,” serves as program coordinator of Student Engagement and also oversees the Cross-Cultural Center. The center invites students “to explore, celebrate and share their diverse cultures and traditions.” Just this year, the Cross-Cultural Center has demonstrated a distinct appreciation for diversity on campus; the center has put on a myriad of events such as creating a month-long program for Black History Month, co-hosting a community forum discussing campus climate and introducing new rotating rooms names for study spaces — with the first Latinx and Womxn themes.

John Eastman’s impression on the Chapman community placed both administration and staff on thin ice in the eyes of many. So events like “No Politics Day” may often serve to open the floodgates for more frustration directed toward our institution. Anger, in some cases, is good. It shows that the student body is passionate about issues that concern and acknowledge our identities and struggles. We collectively raise our concerns in effort to make our university a place we are proud to attend, and it’s wonderful to see camaraderie and bonds form amongst students rallying together to fight for equitable progress. 

But anger directed at the same forces trying to enact this change can feel counterintuitive to progressive movements as a whole. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hold programs and departments at Chapman accountable. Rather, that anger should be channeled into efforts to educate and reevaluate, in this example, how we view the importance of politics in order to move forward rather than boycott a group whose intentions are to uplift and advocate for student expression.

This was a step back for Civic Engagement, but it shouldn’t negate the organizations previous steps taken to promote a forward-thinking institution. We can all use “No Politics Day” as a tool for growth. It’s extremely important to point out where departments on our campus have gone wrong, but we encourage every single person who rightfully commented on the “No Politics Day” campaign to become or stay involved with Civic Engagement’s future initiatives.